Background: Currently, the standard protocol regarding the performance of procedures on patients receiving or having recently received isotretinoin (13- cis -retinoic acid) states that the procedures should not be performed. The recommendations in standard books and drug insert require discontinuation of isotretinoin for 6 months before performing cosmetic procedures, including waxing, dermabrasion, chemical peels, laser procedures, or incisional and excisional cold-steel surgery. These recommendations have been followed for over two decades despite little evidence for the stated increased risk of scarring...

Scars are a very common condition of the general population and can have a profound impact on the psyche of the patient such as low self-esteem and feelings of psychosocial isolation. Various therapeutic approaches have been proposed for improving the clinical appearance of scars. Fractional mode of ablative and non-ablative lasers has become a novel strategy for the treatment of scars. A total of 43 patients (Fitzpatrick skin type II to IV), clinically diagnosed of surgical and post-traumatic scars from January 2015 to December 2016, were treated...

Background: Fractionated, ablative lasers are usually associated with post-treatment erythema, edema, and crusting, which can last from 5 to 14 days. Conjugated linolenic acid, an omega-5 fatty acid, has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been shown to stimulate keratinocyte proliferation and epidermal regeneration. By modulating the early inflammatory milieu and directly affecting skin structure and function, conjugated linolenic acid might therefore shorten downtime following fractionated ablative laser resurfacing of the face...

<p>BACKGROUND: Fractional photothermolysis (FP) is a popular treatment option for photodamaged skin and addresses shortcomings of ablative skin resurfacing and nonablative dermal remodeling. Previous studies have demonstrated that FP using the 1550nm wavelength has led to improvement of ultrastructural changes and clinical effects associated with photodamaged skin in the deeper dermal structures, while treatment with the 1927nm wavelength has shown clinical effects in the superficial dermis. Both wavelengths produce precise microscopic treatment zones (MTZs) in the skin...

Ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing is a well-established treatment for acne scars. However, there are limited consensus and guidelines regarding the procedure, such as its treatment plan, efficacy, and safety. In this study, we performed a systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of the fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment procedure, and to provide evidence-based recommendations concerning its practical use on atrophic acne scars. A comprehensive search was performed in, EMBASE, Ovid, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases, using the keywords "scar(s)," "acne vulgaris," "carbon dioxide," and "fraction* laser(s)" for the period from January 1987 to December 2016...

<p>BACKGROUND: Fractional ablative lasers have been shown to be safe and effective for improving wrinkles, scars, skin texture, and dyspigmentation. However, the exact effects of this technology in vivo on epidermal and dermal skin constituents have not been delineated. This study evaluated the in vivo histological effects over time of treatment with a fractional ablative CO2 system, using different treatment parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Healthy adult volunteers were enrolled in this multicenter clinical study...

Blepharoplasty is one of the most frequently performed plastic cosmetic interventions. For this purpose the CO2 laser is an instrument that can be used as a laser scalpel to cut as well as in its ablative function to remove skin irregularities, such as scars and tumors and also to treat changes of the skin due to aging. Fractionated laser irradiation reduces the duration of skin redness and the postoperative rehabilitation time after a resurfacing. The advantages of the CO2 laser are a gentle intraoperative preparation and less postoperative swelling due to an additional cauterization of blood vessels...

BACKGROUND: Fractional radiofrequency (RF) technology is often the preferable skin resurfacing treatment, especially among Asian patients. Second generation fractional RF technology has exclusive capability to produce separate biological responses (ablation, coagulation, or a combination of both) with 3 distinguished penetration depth programs. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fractional RF handpiece such as this, on the Thai population...

INTRODUCTION: Acne scar is a common distressing complication of acne vulgaris. CO2 laser resurfacing proved effective for the treatment of this problem, but the associated complications may limit its use. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may increase the chance of favorable outcome. AIM OF THE WORK: To evaluate the synergistic effects of autologous PRP with fractional CO2 laser resurfacing in the treatment of acne scars among Egyptian patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This study included 30 patients suffering from post-acne scars...

OBJECTIVE: Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum-Like Papillary Dermal Elastolysis (PXE-PDE) is a rare skin condition seen predominantly in elderly females. These asymptomatic lesions are brought to the dermatologist's attention due to patient's displeasure in their appearance. We report a case of a 28-year old female with PXE-PDE on the right neck treated with Non-Ablative Fractional Resurfacing (NAFR). CASE: The patient on examination had yellow to skin-colored papules that coalesced into a cobblestone-appearing plaque on her lateral neck...

BACKGROUND: Fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing unites the idea of fractional photothermolysis with an ablative 10,600-nm wavelength. This technology permits effective treatment of acne scarring, with shorter recovery and a decreased side effect profile as compared to traditional CO2 laser resurfacing. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to study the efficacy and safety of fractional CO2 laser for acne scars in Asian patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of all patients treated with the fractional CO2 laser for facial acne scarring between January 2, 2008, and December 31, 2010, at the National Skin Centre, Singapore...

PURPOSE: Cicatricial ectropion and periocular scarring can cause significant functional and cosmetic deficits. Surgical treatments can be associated with recicatrization, donor site morbidity, and textural and pigmentary abnormalities. This case series reports on efficacy and safety of a novel nonsurgical approach to treating cicatricial ectropion using ablative fractional laser resurfacing and laser-assisted delivery of 5-fluorouracil. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients at a single institution who received ≥3 rounds of ablative fractional laser resurfacing with laser-assisted delivery of 5-fluorouracil...

<p>Background: Fractional lasers have been proven to treat hyperpigmentation and photoaging. Little research has been done on the effects of supplements on healing post-laser resurfacing. A nutraceutical could offer the benefit of faster healing of the skin and fewer side effects.</p> <p>Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of a nutraceutical associated with fractional 1927 nm laser in healing time and effectiveness on hyperpigmentation and photoaging.</p> <p>Methods & Materials: A prospective, randomized, evaluator-blinded, pilot study included Fitzpatrick skin types I-III patients with hyperpigmentation and photoaging randomly assigned to two groups...

BACKGROUND: Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established treatment option for actinic keratosis (AK), and recently fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser was shown to improve outcomes; but studies of short incubation photosensitizer are lacking. OBJECTIVE: Assess the efficacy of short incubation ALA followed by blue light PDT with and without previous fractional CO2 treatment for the treatment of AK. METHODS: Randomized, paired split-design, controlled trial of fractional CO2 followed by ultrashort 15-minute versus 30-minute incubation ALA and blue light PDT for the treatment of AK on the face...

The treatment of acne and acne scarring with lasers and light-based and energy-based technologies has become an integral component of our therapeutic arsenal. Lasers including infrared wavelengths and pulsed dye lasers; light devices including blue light, red light, and broadband light; and photodynamic therapy with aminolevulinic acid and methylaminolevulinic acid have been shown to be effective in the treatment of acne vulgaris. The optimal outcomes are achieved with photodynamic therapy combined with medical therapy...